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Topic: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320 (Read 1002 times) previous topic - next topic

Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

My brother in law has an issue with broken shock on rear duals of his 2001 U295. Bottom bracket and bolt are broken on both sides.
Will need new shocks and work on bottom brackets on the rear dual wheels.

Currently near Death Valley but Las Vegas is probably closest help.

Thanks,


jack
Jack - Cynthia

Jan 2013
2003 U295 38'
3810 PBFS (6180)
2014 Jeep Sahara Unlimited

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #1 –
Why did the mounting brackets break on both sides, May be a MUCH bigger problem.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #2 –
Any chance for a picture?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
Why did the mounting brackets break on both sides, May be a MUCH bigger problem.
Agree with needing more info.  This is NOT a common problem on Foretravel coaches.  Would be very curious to hear the exact circumstances leading up to this unusual structural failure.

I would say any truck shop could replace the shocks, but welding on the chassis suspension points is another thing entirely.  Look for a shop with experienced, well qualified welders who know what they are doing.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #4 –
Search for "Broken Shock Mount" and User Barry Beam

He had a lot of problems with his.  Ride height adjustment helped stop it from happening.  The wrong shocks (too long) relative to ride height can cause then to bottom out and break the shock mounts.

Welding on the frame requires special precautions.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #5 –
Roger

Just what you said in your last post.

He had a problem with a shock going bad (lost all the hydraulic fluid inside) and had the rear shocks replaced with a Monroe HD (only thing available at that time). I think the shock was too long and it broke the bottom shock bracket and bent the bolt.

We are in Amargosa Valley (just out of Death Valley) this morning and will try to make it to Las Vegas (seems to be the closest place)

Bottom bracket os bent on one side and the other side is bent with a crack.

Will try to get pictures in a bit.

Just looking for a reliable place to do the repairs.

Is there a diference between Koni FSD gold and yellow.  I think the gold is auto adjusting.


Thanks,

jack
Jack - Cynthia

Jan 2013
2003 U295 38'
3810 PBFS (6180)
2014 Jeep Sahara Unlimited

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #6 –
Don't know about yellow, but Koni FSD (gold color) is a non-adjustable shock.  It has a dual valve system that works on big and little impacts.  Highly recommended by Forum members.  We put them on our '93 GV - big improvement over the original factory installed orange Koni's.

Shop around for the best price.

8805 1010 Koni Gold FSD RV Shock Foretravel Motorhomes - Shockwarehouse.com
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #7 –
I'm curious to know what differences owners have noticed when changing out their shocks and why the preference of Konis over Bilsteins.  We are starting to see the bottom of our project list and need to find more ways of spending all of our excess money. 
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
why the preference of Konis over Bilsteins.  We are starting to see the bottom of our project list and need to find more ways of spending all of our excess money

Ha! There are a few forum members that can lighten your load (us)! We've had Bilsteins on our SOB and they were fine. The Koni FSD shocks on this coach are the best we've ever ridden on!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #9 –
Dump the air and make sure the bus sits down on the chassis stops.  Measure the shock eye to eye length.  IE on my ORED the chassis sits on the axle  to frame spacers. Not the shocks ,not the air bag pistons.  In my case the short shock value is about 13in and the long value is about 16.5.
 The shocks that I removed had a short value of 14in.  Not good. 

Re: Shock Asorber Service in Las Vegas for U320

Reply #10 –
Having Koni FSD Gold expedited to Las Vegas from Shock Warehouse.

They should be here tomorrow. Getting the bottom brackets taken care of tomorrow morning. So hopefully to have it all back together by tomorrow afternoon.

Pictures are the left rear and the right rear bottom brackets showing damage.

Thanks to all for the comments and great advice.



Thanks,

jack

Jack - Cynthia

Jan 2013
2003 U295 38'
3810 PBFS (6180)
2014 Jeep Sahara Unlimited